Suspect in Shooting of Black Teen Released on Bail Amid Community Support
Andrew Lester, an 84-year-old white homeowner, has been released on $200,000 bail after being charged with first-degree assault and armed criminal action for shooting black teenager Ralph Yarl twice. Yarl was mistakenly ringing the doorbell at Lester's home to pick up his younger twin brothers. The case has a racial component, according to Clay County prosecutor Zachary Thompson. Lester is not allowed to possess weapons of any kind and may not have any contact with Yarl. Missouri is one of twenty US states which has stand-your-ground laws, which removes the duty to retreat before using deadly force in self-defense.